Name: Filippo Carugati
Picture title: Post-war chamois
Category: Human and Nature
Nationality: Italy
Occupation: I am a PhD student in Biological Sciences and Applied Biotechnologies at Università di Torino.
Technical information
Camera: Canon 7d mark II
Lens: EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM +1.4x III
EXIF: 1/400 sec at f11 • ISO 400
Accessories: Tripod Manfrotto 055
HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY HUMAN AND NATURE
Filippo Carugati | Post-war chamois
Name: Filippo Carugati
Picture title: Post-war chamois
Category: Human and Nature
Nationality: Italy
Occupation: I am a PhD student in Biological Sciences and Applied Biotechnologies at Università di Torino.
Technical information
Camera: Canon 7d mark II
Lens: EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM +1.4x III
EXIF: 1/400 sec at f11 • ISO 400
Accessories: Tripod Manfrotto 055
Filippo Carugati says:
Over the last centuries, the Alps have been the theatre of many conflicts since they represent natural and political borders among different countries. For this reason, many valleys host remains of past wars, from Medieval castles to trenches and fortifications from the World Wars. During a winter walk in Val Varaita (Western Alps – Italy), I was exploring a snowy landscape when I spotted an Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) licking the wall of a WWII bunker. This artificial construction was perfectly camouflaged on the rocky pattern of the slope partially covered by the snow. This peculiar behavior is probably connected to the assimilation of mineral salts and diet integration during the winter season when food is rare. I captured this scene including the surrounding pattern of vertical rocks to emphasize the peculiarity of the moment: remains of a war past now are peacefully reclaimed by nature.
Filippo Carugati
Italy
My interest in wild animals has always been twofold: first from a scientific point of view, which has determined my academic and professional choices. Also, I have always been fascinated by a more aesthetic perspective. The urge to shoot started about 15 years ago, in parallel with the desire to explore wild places and look for wildlife encounters. During my photographic journey, I have experimented with different techniques, from underwater photography to journalistic reportage, exploring a wide range of subjects and habitats. My photos have been awarded in important photo contests (GDT European Photographer of the Year, Asferico, Montphoto, Biophotocontest…). I currently live in Turin (Italy), where I am doing a PhD in the Ethology Lab. My research project is focused on multimodal communication in different primate species and includes periods of fieldwork in Madagascar. My first photographic project, currently in development, will narrate the story of this study site, the Maromizaha forest, in images. I will interweave my research experiences with an aesthetic celebration of biodiversity, as well as testify to the threats to forest conservation and the efforts to safeguard this precious habitat.